CHAAR DHAM YATRA

DAY 1: HARIDWAR – BARKOT  (185 KM DRIVE / 06 – 07 HR)  

Arrive at Haridwar Railway Station in the morning. Our representative will greet you and take you to Barkot. Mussoorie is the first stop on the way to Barkot. Mussoorie, known as the “Queen of Hills,” has commanding snow ranges to the north-east and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges to the south. The town was once said to have a “fairyland” atmosphere for visitors. It is 90 kilometers from Haridwar and takes about two and a half hours to get there. After a short visit to Mussoorie, carry on to Lakhamandal, a 5 km off-road stop en route to Barkot.

Lakhamandal is a place well-known for its Mahabharat Period links. Pandav is said to have stayed here during the Agyatwaas era. The most important Lakshagriha (Wax House) remains can also be found here. After seeing this incredible sight, carry on to Barkot. On the Mussoorie–Yamunotri road, Barkot is a small town at an elevation of 1,280 meters. Check into the hotel when you arrive in Barkot. Barkot is where we will spend the night.

DAY 2: BARKOT – YAMUNOTRI –  BARKOT (80 KM DRIVE / 14 KM TREK) 

Drive to Janki Chatti today, a little early in the morning. Start your trek to Yamunotri from here. On your own dime, either by foot, mule, or palanquin.

At an elevation of 4,421 meters, Yamunotri is the source of the holy river the Yamuna, which flows from the glacial lake of Saptarishi Kund. This ancient temple, dedicated to the capricious Goddess Yamuna, has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. The yatra starts in Rishikesh and brings the pilgrim through some of the most beautiful scenery, culminating in a 14-kilometer arduous trek from Hanuman Chatti that is not only visually and physically relaxing, but also spiritually uplifting. Return to your hotel in Barkort after visiting the temple. Stay overnight at your hotel in Barkot.

DAY 3: BARKOT – UTTARKASHI (100 KM DRIVE / 03.5 HR)         

Drive to Uttarkashi this morning after breakfast. En route, stop at Mahargaon’s Shiv Gufa. Shiv Gufa is a naturally shaped cave on the Yamunotri – Uttarkashi Road in Mehargaon. 

A naturally shaped Shivling can be seen in the cave, with water constantly falling on top of it. Natural ice sculptors of Shiva, Ganesha, Trishul, Lotus, and Om can also be found in the Gufa. Knee-deep water has flooded the cave. In the cave, only four people can stand at a time. In the tunnel, you can hear the sound of water dropping.

Continue your journey to Uttarkashi after visiting the cave. Check into the hotel upon arrival. The hotel in Barkot is where we will spend the night. Visit the town’s Vishwanath Temple in the evening.

DAY 4: UTTARKASHI – GANGOTRI – UTTARKASHI   (200 KM DRIVE / 09 HR)   

Travel to Gangotri today after an early breakfast. You can take a holy dip in Gangnani kund along the way. GANGNANI is a small town on the Gangotri highway, 46 kilometers from Uttarkashi. Gangnani is known for its hot water springs and is an ideal location for rejuvenation. Rishikund is the name of a hot spring in Gangnani. Before proceeding to Gangotri, the majority of devotees take a holy dip in this natural hot water pool. In Gangnani, there is a temple dedicated to Sage Parasara, the father of Veda Vyas.

After that, continue on to Gangotri & visit the famous GANGOTRI TEMPLE. It is the most prominent and highest temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Gangotri is a small town based on the Goddess Ganga’s Gangotri Temple. In the early 18th century, Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha General, founded the current Gangotri temple. Gaumukh glacier, the source of the Bhagirathi River, is 18 kilometers from Gangotri and must be covered on foot. Gangotri provides scenic views of rugged terrains, the Bhagirathi River’s gushing water, and snow-capped peaks. Hindus consider this site as highly sacred.

Return to Uttarakashi after visiting Gangori Temple. Enjoy the picturesque Harshil Village, the Bhagirathi River, and the most breathtaking Himalayan views along the way. Spend the whole night in Uttarkashi.

DAY 5: UTTARKASHI – GUPTKASHI (190 KM DRIVE / 07 HR)         

Drive to Guptkashi this morning after breakfast. Visit the Dhari Devi temple near Srinagar, which is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River.

A Hindu temple dedicated to Devi Kali Mata is the DHARI DEVI TEMPLE. The goddess Dhari Devi is considered Uttarakhand’s guardian deity. The temple is situated in Kalyasaur, Uttarakhand, India, on the banks of the Alaknanda River, along the Srinagar-Badrinath Highway.

Drive on to Guptkashi after visiting the temple. Guptkashi is essential in the same way that Kashi is. The key attractions in Guptkashi are the ancient Vishwanath temple, Ardhnareshwar temple, and ManikarnikKund, where the two rivers Ganga and Yamuna are said to meet. The Pandavas are said to have wanted to meet Lord Shiva and seek his blessing after the Mahabharata war. However, Lord Shiva avoided going from Guptkasi to Kedarnath because he did not want to encounter the Pandavas, who, while fighting for the right cause, were also responsible for the destruction of their own dynasty.

Upon arrival at the hotel, check-in. The hotel in Guptkashi is where you can spend the night.

DAY 6: GUPTKASHI – GAURIKUND – KEDARNATH (35 KM DRIVE & 18 KM TREK)

Drive to Sonprayag this morning after an early breakfast. Take a nearby jeep to Gaurikund from here. Gaurikund is where the trek to Kedarnath begins. Begin your journey on foot from here. The Kedarnath shrine, one of Lord Shiva’s 12 jyotirlingas, is a picturesque location set against the majestic Kedarnath range. Lord Shiva, the guardian and destroyer, is also known as Kedar. 

According to legend, after defeating the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra battle, the Pandavas felt bad about killing their own brothers and sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. He eluded them on many occasions, and while escaping, he took refuge in the form of a bull at Kedarnath. When he realized he was being chased, he dove into the dirt, leaving his hump visible on the floor. Lord Shiva’s remaining parts appeared in four other locations and are worshipped as his embodiments. Tungnath saw his arms, Rudranath saw his face, Madhmaheshwar saw his belly, and Kalpeshwar saw his locks (hair) with his head. PanchKedar refers to Kedarnath and the four shrines mentioned above.

Check into your hotel or camp upon arrival. In Kedarnath, you will spend the night in a hotel or a camp.

DAY 7: KEDARNATH – GAURIKUND – GUPTKASHI (18 KM TREK & 35 KM DRIVE)   

Visit Kedarnath Temple this morning. Begin your descent to Gaurikund after the visit. Return to Guptkashi by car. Check into the hotel when you arrive. The night will be spent in a hotel in Guptkashi.   

DAY 8: GUPTKASHI – BADRINATH (165 KM DRIVE / 06 HR)  

Drive to Badrinath this morning after breakfast. One of the country’s most well-known pilgrimage destinations, it is located at an elevation of 3,133 meters, guarded on both sides by the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a magnificent backdrop. Wild berries once carpeted this revered spot. As a result, the area was given the name “Badri van,” which means “berry forest.” 

In the evening, travel to Mana Town, the last village on the Indo-China border. Bhimpul, the Saraswati River, Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, and other significant sites are also worth seeing. The hotel in Badrinath is where you can spend the night.    

DAY 9: BADRINATH – RUDRAPRAYAG (160 KM DRIVE / 06 HR)        

Today, after Darshan at Badrinath Temple, drive to Rudraprayag, stopping in Joshimath along the way. JOSHIMATH is a famous hill station on the slopes above the Alaknanda and Dhauligangari rivers’ confluence. Joshimath is one of AdiShankaracharya’s four ‘Maths,’ which he founded in the eighth century.

Continue your journey to Rudraprayag after the visit. Rudraprayag, named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), is located 34 kilometers from Srinagar at the holy confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers (Garhwal). Check into the hotel when you arrive. The hotel in Rudraprayag is where you can spend the night.

DAY 10: RUDRAPRAYAG – HARIDWAR (160 KM DRIVE / 05-06 HR)  

Drive back to Haridwar via Srinagar Garhwal this morning after breakfast. En route, stop at Devprayag, Rishikesh, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers meet. Then continue on your way to Haridwar. Drop you off at the railway station for your onward journey when you arrive.